In the wake of the devastating October 7 attacks, Israeli society is traumatized and fearful. A sense of being stuck, siloed, and afraid of the other is all too common. Coming together across difference is more difficult and more important than ever as Palestinian and Jewish citizens return to work, school, and daily life together. The Abraham Initiatives has been working in these points of contact for over 35 years, building shared society via advocacy, education, municipal politics, and more, and envisioning a future for Israel that is fully equal and shared. To discuss this future, join us for a conversation with Shahira Shalaby and Ruth Lewin-Chen, Co-Deputy CEOs of The Abraham Initiatives.

Shahira Shalaby is Co-Deputy CEO of The Abraham Initiatives (alongside Ruth Lewin-Chen). She is the former Deputy Mayor of Haifa, former city councilor, and was among the founders of the Palestinian Feminist Movement in Israel. She has established several initiatives and organizations working to improve the status of Arab women in Israel and has consulted for social change organizations on issues of leadership, strategic thinking, teamwork, developing and managing resources, and community work. She was a Content Expert and Field Representative for the Inter-Agency Task Force, and is a group facilitator, specializing in dialogue, conflict resolution, and facilitator training. She holds a Masters’ degree in religious studies and a Bachelor’s degree in social work.

Ruth Lewin-Chen is Co-Deputy CEO of The Abraham Initiatives (alongside Shahira Shalaby). She previously led The Abraham Initiatives’ Mixed Cities Program, and has rich experience directing conflict resolution programs and facilitating dialogue groups for Arab and Jewish youth. In addition to conflict resolution programs, her skillset comes from her experience advocating for the representation of women in decision-making positions in a local council (Mevasseret). She spent a decade facilitating dialogue groups of Arab and Jewish youth with Seeds of Peace, Givat Haviva, YMCA International in Jerusalem, and more. Ruth studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where she received a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Comparative Literature and a Master’s in Organizational Sociology.